Method and apparatus for processing activation/deactivation of inter-enodeb carrier aggregation

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the technical field of radio communications, and particularly to a method and apparatus for processing activation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing activation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, comprising the steps of: receiving, by UE, an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCell sent by a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB; determining, by the UE, the corresponding SCell; and performing, by the UE, activation/deactivation to the corresponding SCell according to the indication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of radiocommunications, and particularly to a method and apparatus forprocessing activation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to make the LTE-Advanced reach 1 Gbps of downlink rate and 500Mbps of uplink rate and also make full use of various scatteredfrequency bands, the carrier aggregation (CA) has been introduced in3GPP Release 10 (Rel-10). By aggregating at most five 20 MHz componentcarriers (CC) to allow the system bandwidth to reach 100 MHz, therequirements of rate are satisfied. The cell of a primary componentcarrier (PCC) is a primary cell (Pcell), and the cell of a secondarycomponent carrier (SCC) is a secondary cell (Scells). All Scells areadded, modified and removed via RRC reconfiguration messages by aserving eNodeB of UE, where an RRC information element added with asecondary cell, as shown below, includes secondary cell index(ScellIndex), physical cell identifier of the secondary cell anddownlink carrier frequency:

SCellToAddMod-r10 ::= SEQUENCE {  sCellIndex-r10  SCellIndex-r10, cellIdentification-r10  SEQUENCE { physCellId-r10 PhysCellId,dl-CarrierFreq-r10 ARFCN-ValueEUTRA  } OPTIONAL, -- Cond SCellAdd

Compared with Release 8 (Rel-8), the introduction of the multi-carrieraggregation also brings about larger power consumption of user equipment(UE). To further reduce the power consumption of UE, in Rel-10, otherthan the previous discontinuous reception (DRX), quick activation anddeactivation solutions for secondary cells are also introduced.

When a secondary cell is deactivated, UE does not monitor the physicaldownlink control channel (PDCCH) information of the cell and also doesnot transmit data in this cell. Meanwhile, the UE does not perform forthis cell measurement of channel state information (CSI) (themeasurement of a downlink common reference signal still needs to beperformed).

Both activation and deactivation are controlled by an eNodeB. As shownin FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of the format of an MAC CE for quickactivation and deactivation of a secondary cell is shown. By sending an8-bit MAC control element (MAC CE), an eNodeB controls the activationand deactivation of one or more SCells, where Ci indicates whether aserving cell i is to be activated; if Ci is set to be 1, it is indicatedthat the serving cell i needs to be activated, and if Ci is set to be 0,it is indicated that the serving cell i needs to be deactivated; and, Ris a reserved bit. If no PDCCH message or data is received from anactivated secondary carrier within a time period set by a deactivationtimer, the UE may deactivate a certain SCell actively. Of course, theeNodeB may configure the deactivation timer as “infinite” to prevent theUE from deactivating a certain SCell actively.

In 3GPP Release 12 (Rel-12), the requirements of small cell enhancement(SCE) are proposed. Target scenarios for small cell enhancement includescenarios covered by macrocells, scenarios not covered by macrocells,indoor scenarios, outdoor scenarios, and enhanced scenarios with idealand non-ideal backhaul, as shown in FIG. 2.

A macro eNodeB serves as the master eNodeB of UE, while a small celleNodeB serves as the secondary eNodeB of the UE. The macrocells and thesmall cells may work on different frequency bands. In a case of thecoverage of a macrocell, inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation (Inter-eNodeBCA) may be employed, where the primary component carrier (PCC) can belocated in the master eNodeB only. According to the consensuses made inthe 3GPP meeting, both the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB havethe capability of independent scheduling and the capability ofindependent physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, andboth the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB can aggregate more thanone component carrier, i.e., intra-eNodeB carrier aggregation compatiblein Rel-10. All cells serving the UE under each eNodeB are called a cellgroup (CG), all cells serving the UE under a master eNodeB are called amaster cell group (MCG), while all cells serving the UE under asecondary eNodeB are called a secondary cell group (SCG).

Through the discussions in the study item (SI) phase, the inter-eNodeBcarrier aggregation inherits the characteristics of the intra-eNodeBcarrier aggregation. Each UE may have at most five serving cells, i.e.,five component carriers. The addition and removal of all componentcarriers are executed by the master eNodeB. For the activation anddeactivation of a secondary cell, the following consensuses oragreements have been reached in the SI phase: 1) cells in an SCG supportactivation and deactivation; 2) the master eNodeB takes charge of theactivation and deactivation of cells in an MCG, while the secondaryeNodeB takes charge of the activation and deactivation of cells in anSCG; and 3) an SCell added firstly in an SCG has the capability of PUCCHtransmission, and this cell is always in the activated state.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Based on the above agreements, during inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation,there will be the following problems: When UE receives MAC CEs foractivation/deactivation from a master eNodeB and a secondary eNodeB,with the MAC CEs from the two eNodeBs having the same format, if thereare different values at the same bit position of the two MAC CEs, the UEwill be unaware that which operation is to be done to the correspondingScell.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide effective technical solutions tosolve the problems of high misinterpretation rate caused when UEreceives MAC CEs for activation/deactivation from different eNodeBs andlow accuracy of activation/deactivation operation in the scenario ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the above object, one aspect of embodiments of the presentinvention provides a method for processing activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, comprising the steps of: receiving, byUE, an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCell sent by a mastereNodeB or a secondary eNodeB; determining, by the UE, the correspondingSCell; and performing, by the UE, activation/deactivation to thecorresponding SCell according to the indication information in the MACCE for activation/deactivation.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention furtherprovides an apparatus for processing activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, comprising a receiving module, ananalysis module and a processing module, the receiving module isconfigured to receive an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCellsent by a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB; the analysis module isconfigured to determine the corresponding SCell; and the processingmodule is configured to perform activation/deactivation to thecorresponding SCell according to the indication information in the MACCE for activation/deactivation.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An object of the present invention is to at least solve one of the abovetechnical defects. Particularly, by using available SCellIndex in theeNodeB with respect to SCells of different cell groups when a mastereNodeB adds SCells, in the scenario of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation,the high misinterpretation rate, caused when UE receives MAC CEs foractivation/deactivation from different eNodeBs, may be effectivelydecreased, so that the accuracy and effectiveness ofactivation/deactivation are ensured, and the manner ofactivation/deactivation of intra-eNodeB carrier aggregation(conventional carrier aggregation) is compatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and/or further aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from and be more readily appreciated from thefollowing descriptions of embodiments taken with reference to thedrawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the format of an MAC CE for quickactivation and deactivation of a secondary cell;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a scenario deployment of small cellenhancement in 3GPP Release 12;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing activation/deactivationof inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a solution A for activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a solution B for activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a solution C for activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a solution D for activation/deactivation ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a structure diagram of an apparatus for processingactivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according toan embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

By the above solutions provided by the present invention, by usingavailable SCellIndex in the eNodeB with respect to SCells of differentcell groups when a master eNodeB adds SCells, in the scenario ofinter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, the manner of activation/deactivationof intra-eNodeB carrier aggregation is compatible, and meanwhile thehigh misinterpretation rate, caused when UE receives MAC CEs foractivation/deactivation from different eNodeBs, may be effectivelydecreased, so that the accuracy and effectiveness ofactivation/deactivation are ensured. By the above solutions provided bythe present invention, few changes are required to be done to anexisting system, so that the compatibility of the system will not beinfluenced and the implementation is simple and efficient.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will bepartially given in the following descriptions. These aspects andadvantages will become apparent from the following descriptions or beappreciated from the practices of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention shall be described in detailhereafter. The examples of the embodiments shall be illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar or same numeral symbols indicatesimilar or same elements or elements with same or similar functions. Theembodiments described with reference to the drawings are intended toexplain the present invention and should not be construed as anylimitation to the present invention.

The core idea of the present invention is: in a scenario of inter-eNodeBcarrier aggregation, MAC CEs for activation/deactivation of an SCellfrom a master eNodeB and a secondary eNodeB will make UE confused, as aresult, the UE may mistakenly activate/deactivate a certain SCell. Thesolutions of the present application may effectively solve the aboveproblem and make the operation of activation/deactivation of an SCellduring inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation more accurate and effective.

In the present invention, symbol “/” may be interpreted as ‘and’ or ‘or’according to the context.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flowchart of a method for processingactivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according toan embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method forprocessing activation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregationprovided by the embodiment of the present invention includes the stepsof:

S310: receiving, by UE, an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of anSCell sent by a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB;

S320: determining, by the UE, the corresponding SCell; and

S330: performing, by the UE, activation/deactivation to thecorresponding SCell according to the indication information in the MACCE for activation/deactivation.

In the above embodiment of the present invention, the UE performsactivation or deactivation to the corresponding SCell according to theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation. In thescenario of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, the manner ofactivation/deactivation during conventional carrier aggregation may becompatible and the high misinterpretation rate caused when UE receivesMAC CEs for activation/deactivation from different eNodeBs may beeffectively decreased, so that the accuracy and effectiveness ofactivation/deactivation are ensured.

S310 to S330 will be described in details as below with reference tospecific embodiments.

S310: UE receives an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCell sentby a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB.

S320: The UE determines the corresponding SCell.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the UE determines an eNodeBcontrolling the corresponding SCell according to the indicationinformation in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation, and thendetermines the corresponding SCEll according to the eNodeB controllingthe corresponding SCell.

Further, the determining an eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCellaccording to the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation includes:

determining the eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell according toa bit position of the indication information.

The above embodiment will be described as below with reference to aspecific application scenario.

Application Scenario 1 (Solution A):

Introduction of this Solution

The allocation rules of SCellIndexes are predetermined, for example,which SCellIndex is to be used by a master eNodeB and which SCellIndexis to be used in a secondary eNodeB. Accordingly, the UE may be awareof, when receiving an MAC CE for activation/deactivation from the mastereNodeB or the secondary eNode, the bit position of the MAC CE to beseparately read in the master eNodeB or the secondary eNodeB, and thenperform activation/deactivation to the corresponding SCell according theread bit position.

As shown in FIG. 4, a flowchart of a solution A foractivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according tothe present invention is shown. This solution specifically includes thefollowing steps:

S401: When adding an SCell, a master eNodeB allocates an SCellIndexaccording to the rules agreed.

For example, the master eNodeB allocates SCellIndex {1, 2, 3, 4} toSCells in the MCG and SCellIndex {5, 6, 7} to SCells other than pScellin the SCG.

When sending an MAC CE to the UE, the master eNodeB sets thecorresponding bit position of SCells controlled by this master eNodeBaccording to practical conditions, while sets the corresponding bitposition of SCells controlled by a secondary eNodeB to be a defaultvalue, for example 0. When sending an MAC CE to the UE, the secondaryeNodeB sets the corresponding bit position of SCells controlled by thissecondary eNodeB according to practical conditions, while sets thecorresponding bit position of SCells controlled by the master eNodeB tobe a default value, for example 0.

S402: When receiving an MAC CE for activation/deactivation from aneNodeB S, the UE judges an effective bit position of the MAC CE to beread according to whether a cell controlled by the eNodeB S is a cell inthe MCG or cell in the SCG.

Here, the eNodeB S may be a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB.

This step further includes: the UE judges, according to whether a cellcontrolled by the eNodeB S is a cell in the MCG or cell in the SCG,whether the effective bit position controlled by the eNodeB S belongs to{C1, C2, C3, C4} or {C5, C6, C7}, and then determines the effective bitposition to be read, in combination with the SCellIndex of an SCell inthis eNodeB.

For example, if the eNodeB S is a secondary eNodeB, the bit positionread by the UE belongs to {C5, C6, C7}, and then the UE may judge thatthe effective bit position to be read is {C5, C6} according to theSCellIndex {5, 6} of the secondary eNodeB.

S403: The UE activates/deactivates the corresponding SCell according tothe read bit position.

Specifically, the UE activates/deactivates an SCell having acorresponding index {m, n, . . . } according to the indication of {Cm,Cn, . . . }.

As an embodiment of the present invention, after acquiring an SCellIndexand a corresponding cell group of an SCell, the UE determines thecorresponding SCell according to the SCellIndex, the corresponding cellgroup and the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation.

Further, the acquiring, by the UE, an SCellIndex and a correspondingcell group of an SCell includes:

acquiring, by the UE, the SCellIndex and the corresponding cell group ofthe SCell when receiving SCell addition information sent by the mastereNodeB.

The above embodiment will be described as below with reference to aspecific application scenario.

Application Scenario 2 (Solution B):

Introduction of this Solution

An eNodeB informs, when adding an SCell, the UE of information about acell group/eNodeB of the SCell. Then, the UE directly reads, whenreceiving an MAC CE for activation/deactivation, the bit positioncorresponding to the subordinate SCell of the eNodeB from which the MACCE is sent, and then activates/deactivates the related SCell. The mastercell group MCG is corresponding to a master eNodeB, and the secondarycell group SCG is corresponding to a secondary eNodeB.

As shown in FIG. 5, a flowchart of a solution B foractivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according tothe present invention is shown. The solution specifically includes thefollowing steps:

S501: A master eNodeB sends addition information of an SCell.

The addition information of an SCell is realized by an RRCreconfiguration process. The addition information of an SCellspecifically includes a secondary cell index (SCellIndex), cell groupinformation, and a physical cell identifier and downlink carrierfrequency of the secondary cell.

The cell group information indicates whether the SCell corresponding tothe current SCellIndex is from a master cell group or master eNodeB, or,from a secondary cell group or secondary eNodeB. For example, in theaddition information of an SCell, an enumerated CellGroupID (CGID)information element shown as ENUMERATED{0, 1} may be added. If the CGIDis 0, it is indicated that what is controlled by the macro eNodeB orcalled MCG; and if the CGID is 1, it is indicated that what iscontrolled by the small cell eNodeB or called SCG:

SCellToAddMod-r12 ::= SEQUENCE {  sCellIndex-r12  SCellIndex-r12, CellGroupID  ENUMERATED {0, 1}  cellIdentification-r12  SEQUENCE {physCellId-r12 PhysCellId, dl-CarrierFreq-r12 ARFCN-ValueEUTRA  }OPTIONAL, -- Cond SCellAdd

After receiving the addition information of an SCell, the UE maintainsand updates a correspondence between the SCellIndex and the cell group.

The maintenance mode of the correspondence between the SCellIndex andthe cell group may be determined by implementation.

S502: The master eNodeB or secondary eNodeB sends control information ofthe MAC CE to the UE.

S503: After receiving an MAC CE for activation/deactivation from themaster eNodeB or the secondary eNodeB, the UE reads a corresponding bitposition in the MAC CE according to the mapping relation between thecell group controlled by the maintained eNodeB and the SCellIndex.

If it is assumed that the SCellIndex list of a subordinate SCell of theeNodeB S is {m, n, . . . }, as shown in FIG. 1, and the correspondingbit position is {Cm, Cn, . . . }, the UE reads the corresponding bitposition “Cm, Cn, . . . ” only, and then performs correspondingactivation/deactivation operation.

S504: The UE activates/deactivates the corresponding SCell according tothe indication of the read bit position.

Specifically, the UE activates/deactivates SCells having indexes of {m,n, . . . } according to the indication of {Cm, Cn, . . . },respectively.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the indication information inthe MAC CE for activation/deactivation is made correspond to all SCellscontrolled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB, and thecorresponding SCell is determined according to the correspondenceinformation.

Further, the making the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation correspond to all SCells controlled by themaster eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB includes:

before sending an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCell,communicating the master eNodeB with the secondary eNodeB to acquireactivation/deactivation information of SCells controlled by the oppositeside, and recording the activation/deactivation information of allSCells controlled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB in theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation.

The above embodiment will be described as below with reference to aspecific application scenario.

Application Scenario 3 (Solution C):

Introduction of this Solution

The master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB of the UE interact the latestSCell activation/deactivation state, and the corresponding bit positionof the MSC CE for activation/deactivation controlled by the oppositeeNodeB may be filled according to the latest activation/deactivationstate of a subordinate SCell of the opposite eNodeB, so that each bitposition of the MAC CE for activation/deactivation received by the UEfrom any eNodeB is always effective.

In this application scenario, it is assumed that the master eNodeB needsto send an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of a certain SCell to theUE.

As shown in FIG. 6, a flowchart of a solution C foractivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according tothe present invention is shown. This solution specifically includes thefollowing steps:

S601: A master eNodeB sends activation/deactivation state information ofall SCells controlled by the master eNodeB to a secondary eNodeB via theX2 interface.

In this step, the master eNodeB may start a timer T1. Here, T1 needs tobe equal to or greater than the transmission delay of the X2 interface.

S602: After receiving the state information from the master eNodeB, thesecondary eNodeB updates the activation/deactivation state of asubordinate SCell of the master eNodeB, maintained by the secondaryeNodeB.

Here, before the secondary eNodeB issues an MAC CE foractivation/deactivation, it is required to fill the corresponding bitposition of a subordinate SCell of the master eNodeB according to thelatest exchange information.

Step 603: The master eNodeB sends an MAC CE for activation/deactivationto the UE after T1 timing out. The sent MAC CE is a state informationcontaining 8-bit MAC CEs of secondary cells controlled by the mastereNodeB and the secondary eNodeB. The master eNodeB may send an MAC CEfor activation/deactivation to the UE after T1 times out.

The timer T1 may ensure that the states of MAC CEs, respectively sent tothe UE by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB, of SCellscontrolled by the master eNodeB are consistent, when the states ofSCells controlled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB changesimultaneously.

Here, the bit position corresponding to a subordinate SCell of themaster eNodeB needs to be filled according to the latest stateinformation obtained by interaction with the secondary eNodeB. Forexample, in a case of activated state, the bit position is filled with1; and in a case of deactivated state, the bit position is filled with0.

For another example, in a case that the master eNodeB is in maintenanceand a certain SCell under the secondary eNodeB is activated, the mastereNodeB fills 1 in the bit position corresponding to the SCell; and ifthe SCell is deactivated, the master eNodeB fills 0 in the bit positioncorresponding to the SCell.

S604: After receiving an MAC CE for activation/deactivation, the UEperforms activation/deactivation to the SCell according to thecorresponding bit position.

Here, the corresponding bit position refers to bit positionscorresponding to all SCells of the UE, including the bit positionscorresponding to SCells under the master eNodeB and the bit positionscorresponding to SCells under the secondary eNodeB.

In this solution, through the interaction of state information ofinter-eNodeB activation/deactivation, the UE considers that the bitpositions corresponding to all SCells are effective when receiving anMAC CE for activation/deactivation every time.

The above steps S601 to S604 are also applicable to a scenario where thesecondary eNodeB needs to send an MAC CE for activation/deactivation ofan SCell to the UE.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the UE compares MAC CEs fortwo successive times of activation/deactivation of an SCell from a sameeNodeB, and then determines the corresponding SCell according to thechange in MAC CEs for two successive times of activation/deactivation ofthe SCell.

Further, the change in the MAC CEs for two successive times ofactivation/deactivations of an SCell includes:

information about the changed bit positions in the MAC CEs for twosuccessive times of activation/deactivations of an SCell.

The above embodiment will be described as below with reference to aspecific application scenario.

Application Scenario 4 (Solution D):

Introduction of this Solution

The UE judges and maintains a correspondence between a cell group and anSCell according to the change in the bit position of the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation. When receiving an MAC CE foractivation/deactivation, the UE reads the bit position according to thecorrespondence between the maintained eNodeB and the SCell, and thenperforms activation/deactivation to the corresponding SCell.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a flowchart of a solution D foractivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according tothe present invention is shown. This solution specifically includes thefollowing steps.

The description will be illustrated by taking a master eNodeB sending anMAC CE to the UE as example.

S701: A master eNodeB sends an MAC CE (CE1) for activation/deactivation.

Here, when sending an MAC CE to the UE, the master eNodeB sets acorresponding bit position controlled by this eNodeB according topractical conditions, while sets a corresponding bit position of anSCell controlled by a secondary eNodeB to be a default value, forexample 0.

S702: After receiving the MAC CE, the UE maintains and updates acorrespondence between the master eNodeB and subordinate SCells of themaster eNodeB.

Specifically, after receiving CE1, the UE compares the CE1 with the MACCE (CE0) previously received from the master eNodeB to find the changedbit positions {Cm, Cn, . . . }, and determines SCellIndexescorresponding to the bit positions as {m, n, . . . }, as shown inFIG. 1. Therefore, SCells having SCellIndexes {m, n, . . . } aresubordinate SCells of the master eNodeB.

Further, the UE inquires correspondence between the master eNodeBmaintained by the UE and SCells (assumed that Table T represents thecorrespondence between the master eNodeB maintained by the UE and theSCells). If a new correspondence appears, the UE should add the newcorrespondence into Table T.

The change in the bit position specifically means that the value of acertain bit position in CE0 is 0, while the value of this bit positionin CE1 is 1; or, the value of a certain bit position in CE0 is 1, whilethe value of this bit position in CE1 is 0.

S703: The UE inquires SCellIndexes {m, n, p, . . . } of all subordinateSCells of the master eNodeB currently according to the correspondencebetween the mater eNodeB maintained by the UE and the SCells.

Specifically, the UE inquires SCellIndexes {m, n, p, . . . } of allsubordinate SCells of the eNodeB S according to Table T.

S704: The UE performs activation/deactivation to SCells havingSCellIndexes {m, n, . . . } according to the indication of the MAC CEand the indication of the corresponding bit positions.

The above steps S701 to S704 are also applicable to a scenario where thesecondary eNodeB needs to send an MAC CE for activation/deactivation ofan SCell to the UE.

S330: The UE performs activation/deactivation to the corresponding SCellaccording to the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, the UE performsactivation or deactivation to the corresponding SCell according to theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation. In thescenario of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, the manner ofactivation/deactivation during conventional carrier aggregation may becompatible, and the high misinterpretation rate caused when UE receivesMAC CEs for activation/deactivation from different eNodeBs may beeffectively avoided, so that the accuracy and effectiveness ofactivation/deactivation are ensured.

FIG. 8 is a structure diagram of an apparatus for processingactivation/deactivation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation according toan embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, theapparatus 100 for processing activation/deactivation of inter-eNodeBcarrier aggregation includes a receiving module 110, an analysis module120 and a processing module 130.

The receiving module 110 is configured to receive an MAC CE foractivation/deactivation of an SCell sent by a master eNodeB or asecondary eNodeB.

The analysis module 120 is configured to determine the correspondingSCell.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the analysis module 120 isconfigured to determine an eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCellaccording to the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation, and determine the corresponding SCell accordingto the eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell.

Specifically, the analysis module 120 is configured to determine aneNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell according to the indicationinformation in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation, including:

the analysis module 120 is configured to determine the eNodeBcontrolling the corresponding SCell according to a bit position of theindication information.

As an embodiment of the resent invention, after the receiving module 110acquires an SCellIndex and a corresponding cell group of an SCell, theanalysis module 120 is configured to determine the corresponding SCellaccording to the SCellIndex, the corresponding cell group and theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation.

Specifically, the receiving module 110 acquires an SCellIndex and acorresponding cell group of an SCell, including:

the receiving module 110 acquires the SCellIndex and the correspondingcell group of the SCell when receiving SCell addition information sentby the master eNodeB.

As an embodiment of the present invention, after making the indicationinformation in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation correspond to allSCells controlled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB, theanalysis module 120 is configured to determine the corresponding SCellaccording to the correspondence information.

Specifically, the making the indication information in the MAC CE foractivation/deactivation correspond to all SCells controlled by themaster eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB includes:

before sending an MAC CE for activation/deactivation of an SCell,communicating the master eNodeB with the secondary eNodeB to acquireactivation/deactivation information of SCells controlled by the oppositeside, and recording the activation/deactivation information of allSCells controlled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB in theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the analysis module 120 isconfigured to compare MAC CEs for two successive times ofactivation/deactivation of an SCell from a same eNodeB, and thendetermine the corresponding SCell according to the change in MAC CEs fortwo successive times of activation/deactivation of the SCell.

Specifically, the change in the MAC CEs for two successive times ofactivation/deactivation of an SCell comprises:

information about the changed bit positions in the MAC CEs for twosuccessive times of activation/deactivation of an SCell.

The processing module 130 is configured to performactivation/deactivation to the corresponding SCell according to theindication information in the MAC CE for activation/deactivation.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, by using theprocessing module 130 to perform activation or deactivation to thecorresponding SCell according to the indication information in the MACCE for activation/deactivation, in the scenario of inter-eNodeB carrieraggregation, the manner of activation/deactivation during conventionalcarrier aggregation may be compatible, and the high misinterpretationrate caused when UE receives MAC CEs for activation/deactivation fromdifferent eNodeBs may be effectively avoided, so that the accuracy andeffectiveness of activation/deactivation are ensured.

In specific applications, the apparatus 100 provided by the presentinvention is typically embodied in a form of terminal equipment.

A person of ordinary skill in the art shall understand that all or apart of the steps of the methods in the foregoing embodiments may beimplemented by related hardware instructed by a program. The program maybe stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program isexecuted, one or a combination of the steps of the methods in theembodiments is performed.

In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of the presentinvention may be integrated in a processing module, or may beindependent from each other physically, or may be integrated into onemodule by two or more units. The integrated modules may be implementedin form of hardware, or may be implemented in form of softwarefunctional modules. If the integrated modules are implemented in form ofsoftware functional modules and sold or used as independent products,the integrated modules may be stored in a computer readable storagemedium.

The above-mentioned storage medium may be read-only memory, magneticdisc or optical disc, etc.

The above descriptions are merely parts of embodiments of the presentinvention. It should be pointed out that, a person skilled in the artmay make various improvements and modifications without departing fromthe principle of the present invention, and these improvements andmodifications shall be regarded as falling into the protection scope ofthe present invention.

1. A method for operation of inter-eNodeB carrier aggregation, themethod comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a medium accesscontrol channel element (MAC CE) for at least one of activation ordeactivation operation of a secondary cell (SCell) sent by at least oneof a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB; determining, by the UE, acorresponding SCell based on the received MAC CE; and performing, by theUE, at least one of the activation or deactivation operation to thecorresponding SCell according to indication information in the MAC CEfor the at least one of the activation or deactivation operation.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: determining aneNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell according to the indicationinformation in the MAC CE for the at least one of the activation ordeactivation operation and determining the corresponding SCell accordingto the eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell; acquiring anSCellIndex and a corresponding cell group of an SCell and thendetermining the corresponding SCell according to the SCellIndex, thecorresponding cell group, and the indication information in the MAC CEfor the at least one of the activation or deactivation operation;identifying the indication information in the MAC CE for the at leastone of the activation or deactivation operation corresponding to SCellscontrolled by the master eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB and determiningthe corresponding SCell according to the indication information; orcomparing MAC CEs for two successive times of at least one of theactivation or deactivation information of an SCell from a same eNodeB,and then determining the corresponding SCell according to a change inthe MAC CEs for two successive times of the at least one of theactivation or deactivation information of the SCell.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein determining the eNodeB controlling the correspondingSCell comprises determining the eNodeB controlling the correspondingSCell according to a bit position of the indication information.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein acquiring the SCellIndex and thecorresponding cell group of the SCell comprises acquiring the SCellIndexand the corresponding cell group of the corresponding SCell when the UEreceives additional SCell information sent by the master eNodeB.
 5. Themethod of claim 2, wherein identifying the indication information in theMAC CE comprises: before receiving the MAC CE for the at least one ofthe activation or deactivation operation, communicating the mastereNodeB with the secondary eNodeB to acquire at least one of activationor deactivation information of SCells controlled by an opposite side;and recording the at least one of the activation or deactivationinformation of SCells controlled by the master eNodeB and the secondaryeNodeB in the indication information in the MAC CE for the at least oneof the activation or deactivation operation.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein the change in the MAC CEs comprises information associated witha plurality of changed bit positions in the MAC CEs for two successivetimes of the at least one of the activation or deactivation operation ofthe SCell.
 7. An apparatus for operation of inter-eNodeB carrieraggregation, the apparatus comprising: a transceiver is configured toreceive medium access control channel element (MAC CE) for at least oneof activation or deactivation operation of a secondary cell (SCell) sentby at least one of a master eNodeB or a secondary eNodeB; a analysiscircuit configured to determine a corresponding SCell; and at least oneprocessor configured to perform the at least one of the activation ordeactivation operation to the corresponding SCell according toindication information in the MAC CE for the at least one of theactivation or deactivation operation.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the analysis circuit is further configured to at least one of:determine an eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell according to theindication information in the MAC CE for the at least one of theactivation or deactivation operation, and determine the correspondingSCell according to the eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell; afteracquiring, by the transceiver, an SCellIndex and a corresponding cellgroup of an SCell, determine the corresponding SCell according to theSCellIndex, the corresponding cell group, and the indication informationin the MAC CE for the at least one of the activation or deactivationoperation; after identifying the indication information in the MAC CEfor the at least one of the activation or deactivation operationcorresponding to SCells controlled by the master eNodeB and thesecondary eNodeB, determine the corresponding SCell according to theindication information; or compare MAC CEs for two successive times ofat least one of the activation or deactivation information of an SCellfrom a same eNodeB, and then determine the corresponding SCell accordingto a change in the MAC CEs for two successive times of the at least oneof the activation or deactivation information of the SCell.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the analysis circuit is further configuredto determine the eNodeB controlling the corresponding SCell according toa bit position of the indication information.
 10. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the transceiver is further configured to acquire theSCellIndex and the corresponding cell group of the SCell when theapparatus receives additional SCell information sent by the mastereNodeB.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the analysis circuit isfurther configured to: identifying the indication information in the MACCE before receiving the MAC CE for the at least one of the activation ordeactivation operation, communicate the master eNodeB with the secondaryeNodeB to acquire at least one of activation or deactivation informationof SCells controlled by an opposite side; and record the at least one ofthe activation or deactivation information of SCells controlled by themaster eNodeB and the secondary eNodeB in the indication information inthe MAC CE for the at least one of the activation or deactivationoperation.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the change in the MACCEs comprises information associated with a plurality of changed bitpositions in the MAC CEs for two successive times of the at least one ofactivation or deactivation operation of the SCell.